Wedding Ideas

Wedding planner Lindsay Averette knows both the smart ways to save money and the essential splurges for couples planning a wedding on a budget. Keep reading for the final installment of our wedding planner interview series. For more expert advice from Lindsay about sticking to budget wedding plans, check out the following previous posts: Budget Wedding Tips from a Wedding Planner, More Expert Budget Wedding Tips, and 3 Budget Wedding Tips from a Professional Planner.

What DIY wedding projects do you recommend?

While DIY is often a dangerous approach to such an important day, there are some things that might be fun projects for you and your hubby-to-be. If you’ve got crafty genes, creating table numbers and escort cards is an easy printable project. I’ve often had grooms who really want to be involved, so for outdoor ceremonies they have built their own wooden ceremony arbors or wedding signs. Keep in mind the value of your time when you take on DIY projects as part of planning a wedding on a budget. The money you save may not be worth the time you put into the project.

What should couples not attempt to do themselves?

Oh, where to begin? All of the major things that contribute to the success of a wedding—catering, photography, entertainment, flowers—shouldn’t be DIY’ed by you or your friends, even for a budget wedding. I’ve mentioned the reasons for some of these already in previous posts, but there are professionals in this industry for a purpose. There is so much risk if you don’t hire a wedding professional. The cake your friend made falls apart before you even get to cut it. Even though you’ve checked and rechecked your iPod sound system, it fails right in the middle of your first dance. Friends and relatives have pitched in to make the food to serve, but they seriously underestimated the amount of food, and half of your guests are starving. Quality does not have to equal expensive.

Is a wedding planner an important investment for couples on a budget to make?

Yes and yes. And I promise I’m not just saying this because I’m a wedding planner. I will say that I don’t think a full service planner—from start to finish—is always necessary. However, I do always recommend a day-of or month-of coordinator. There are certain things brides, grooms and family should not have to stress about or coordinate on the wedding day itself. If Aunt Sally sends you and your wedding party down the aisle, how is she supposed to see all the action herself? If you don’t have a coordinator and the DJ announces the cake cutting, where’s the bride? Oh, you’re in the bathroom. The coordinator would have delayed the announcement until you were ready. If there is not already a coordinator with your venue, the easiest decision you should make is to hire one. Even if you are planning a wedding on a budget, the success of your wedding and the smiles on everyone’s faces should far outweigh the money spent on hiring a wedding planner for a few hours.

Lindsay owns and operates LK Events and Design, a wedding and event planning company in Richmond, Virginia.

Photo Credit: lilszeto

Smart couples in the process of planning a budget wedding recognize the need to prioritize their wedding dreams in order to stay in control of their budget. Many couples prefer to spend their money on big-ticket items like a professional photographer, a beautiful bridal ring set, or a gourmet wedding cake. It is easy to forget how quickly the cost of the smaller details adds up in a budget wedding. One easy way to save money is to get creative with DIY wedding projects and materials you already have on hand. A unique and inexpensive wedding guestbook, for example, might be as close as your desk drawer. Here are a few creative ideas to get you started.

1. Decoupage your own photo book.

Find an unused composition book in your desk, or buy one inexpensively at a local office supply store. Collect photos of you and your spouse to be. For a more formal black and white look, xerox the photographs, and decoupage the black and white versions onto the guestbook. Mix your own decoupage solution by gradually adding water to white glue until it reaches a texture that is easily spreadable with a paintbrush. Paint the surface of the composition book with the glue solution before placing a photo. Once the photo is positioned, paint over the entire top of the photo. Repeat until the front and back covers are covered with special memories. Let dry completely before use.

2. Invite guests to write on index cards or recipe cards.

Find or purchase a stack of index cards or recipe cards, and put a small stack on each table at your budget wedding reception. Instead of the standard guestbook station, ask your family and friends to fill out an index card for you during the reception with a favorite easy family recipe on one side and their wishes for the bride and groom on the other side. After the wedding, you can store the cards in a small filing box; you could also punch holes on the sides of the cards and tie them together with piece of ribbon.

3. Ask your guests to sign scrapbook pages or a photo mat.

Set out a couple of pages of wedding-themed scrapbook paper and high-quality pens for guests to sign papers that will either go straight into your wedding scrapbook or could also be framed and displayed. If you know that you’ll be displaying your guests’ wishes in your home, ask guests to sign a large photo mat with a thin black marker or pen. When your wedding photos are printed, choose your favorite one to frame with the signed mat. Consider picking a black and white close-up photo of you and your new spouse holding hands; it will show off the bridal ring set surrounded by heartfelt messages from your wedding guests.

What are your creative ideas for a budget wedding guestbook?

Photo Credit: Corey Ann

Part of planning a wedding on a budget is searching for high quality services for the lowest possible costs while prioritizing your needs and desires. Similar skills are needed to create a smart budget wedding registry. You will need to consider that many of your guests may also be trying to cut costs. It is smart to list gifts in a variety of price ranges to that each guest can purchase a gift that is within their comfort zone.

No matter what gifts you register for, be certain to select items for your registry that will last a lifetime. Don’t choose trendy items or things you may not use. Choose well-reviewed, long-lasting products that will last a long time so that you won’t need to spend money on replacements a few years into your marriage. Smart registry choices now, while you are in the process of planning a wedding on a budget, can save you money in the future.

When you are selecting kitchen items to include on your budget wedding registry, you may wish to avoid nonstick pans which often get scraped up and need to be replaced within a few years. Possible alternatives include pre-seasoned cast iron pans, which can last forever if cared for properly. Stainless steel is another durable cooking surface that you may wish to consider. This is also a good opportunity to consider high quality glass bakeware such as Pyrex, or long-lasting stoneware casserole dishes from companies such as Le Creuset.

When selecting glasses and dishes, choose durable, well-made pieces that won’t show age. For example, white dishes are a good choice because they don’t show chips or scrapes very easily. White is also an excellent choice because it will always match even if your dining room décor changes seasonally. Don’t make the mistake of choosing dishes that don’t go into the microwave or dishwasher if you know you will want to have that option.

It is tempting to pick out exciting new appliances for your budget wedding registry, but it is best to avoid appliances with very specific uses that you may not use very often, such as a funnel cake maker. In general, it is better to choose items that will get a lot of use, such as blenders, crockpots, and toasters. Before you add anything to your registry, you will want to read reviews of that product to be certain that it will last you a long time. This is especially true in the case of appliances. It is better to ask Aunt Mary to buy you a microwave that is well reviewed for longevity than simply choosing the most inexpensive microwave you can find.

What are your best wedding registry tips?

Photo Credit: Jessica Spangler

My Trio Rings asked wedding insider Lindsay Averette for suggestions about how couples can plan a budget wedding without cutting too many corners. A wedding planner with her own event planning company, Lindsay knows where to spend and where to save. For more expert advice from Lindsay, see “Budget Wedding Tips from a Wedding Planner” and “More Expert Budget Wedding Tips.”

What splurges do you most recommend for a budget wedding?

Photography and entertainment. The photographs are how you’ll remember the day twenty years from now, when the special day is a distant memory. You don’t want to look back on blurry photos or heads chopped off because you asked a friend to take pictures, do you? Good photography doesn’t have to cost a lot. Shop around to find a photographer who offers a package that best fits your budget wedding needs. Some photographers will even let you pay for their services and a CD of the photos, and you can print the photos yourself inexpensively.

Entertainment makes or breaks a party. DJs are much more than someone who just presses play on an iPod. They read the crowd. They know what songs will get people dancing and what songs to avoid. If you have a friend rolling through your iPod playlist, there is liability of equipment failure AND the pressure to keep the dance floor crowded and guests excited for the next song. Even if you are planning a wedding on a budget, it is best to stick to a professional DJ.

What are your favorite budget wedding websites?

Etsy.com is a great website to find cute and inexpensive handcrafted details like creative guestbooks, favors, cake toppers, and stationery. For gently used wedding items, the standard resell websites are ebay.com and craigslist.org. These are excellent places to find a wide variety of wedding items that were only used once. Two wedding-specific websites to buy and sell previously used wedding details are RecycledBride.com and WeddingBee.com. If you are planning a wedding on a budget, consider keeping some special memories but also re-selling some of your wedding décor and accessories to recoup some of your costs after the big day.

What are the most common unexpected wedding expenses?

Sales Tax/Delivery fees: Most vendors will quote you a price before they add in sales tax and fees. When planning a wedding on a budget, make sure you allow a cushion for these fees.

Gratuity: Traditionally, you tip catering staff, musicians, hair and makeup artists, and transportation providers. Don’t forget to budget a small percentage for gratuity, even if you are planning a budget wedding!  

Postage: After sending Save The Dates and invitations with a stamped response card, postage can add up quickly.

Lindsay owns and operates LK Events and Design,  a wedding and event planning company in Richmond, Virginia.

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Modern Trio Ring Sets

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